Planning a European UEFA Euro getaway this summer? Here are my tips for maximizing your experience.

With Real Madrid clinching the Champions League title last Saturday, football enthusiasts are now focusing on Munich and the UEFA Euro League 2024.

While my passion for football isn’t as intense as it once was, I still find myself eagerly anticipating major championships more than I should.

My introduction to tournaments began with Italia 90, an event that holds a permanent place in my heart. I’m certain Euro 2024 will evoke similar feelings among millions of children across Europe this summer (even if their future partners veto their desire for a Paul Gascoigne duvet cover, and their kids dismiss Panini sticker books as ‘boring’)

Italia 90 wasn’t just about UEFA Euro Football for me. While I watched nearly every game, I was also captivated by the teams and countries involved—the glitz of Brazil, the joy of Cameroon, and the mystery of the Soviet Union team.

However, it was Italy that stole the spotlight with its undeniable coolness. I found myself fascinated by the cities hosting the matches. With Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of ‘Nessun Dorma’ as the tournament’s unofficial anthem, even nine-year-old me discovered a cultural awakening surpassing even MC Hammer’s ‘U Can’t Touch This’.

Little did I know that this tournament would ignite my passion for city breaks to experience European football firsthand.

My first visit to Milan and the iconic San Siro was a long-awaited pilgrimage.  Over the years, a group of friends and I have made it a tradition to attend games in some of Europe’s most legendary stadiums, from the stunning locales of Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, Naples, to even Norwich.

However, until last year, the San Siro, home to AC Milan and Internazionale, remained unchecked on our list. As one of the host stadiums during Italia 90, it held a special allure for us.

When news broke that the Milan giants were considering relocating, we knew time was of the essence. Milan itself, aside from its football legacy, offered us a wealth of sights and experiences beyond the game and nightlife.

The planning began the summer prior. Finding a weekend when all of us were free proved to be the biggest challenge, especially for those of us with children.

Once our schedules aligned, we meticulously combed through fixture lists, striving to strike the perfect balance—a match enticing enough to excite us yet accessible enough for us to secure tickets.

Ultimately, we found ourselves in Milan over the extended Easter weekend, eagerly anticipating the AC Milan versus Empoli match.

When planning our European football breaks, my friends and I typically choose cities known for their football culture or iconic stadiums. After aligning our schedules with the fixture list, the next hurdle is securing tickets. Fortunately, for the Milan game, tickets were readily available during general sale, simplifying our plans. More popular matches often require memberships due to high demand, so we usually opt for games that are less likely to be oversubscribed.

Ticket prices seemed reasonable to us, especially compared to the steep costs we encounter for English UEFA Euro matches back home.

With flights and accommodations booked well in advance, logistics were smooth sailing. However, planning ahead comes with risks—like game dates changing due to TV schedules. Despite the match being moved from Saturday afternoon to Friday night, we adjusted our plans and still managed to attend while in Milan for a long weekend.

Navigating the Metro to the stadium was straightforward, and we arrived a couple of hours before kickoff along with many other enthusiastic fans. The venue offered decent food and drink options, a refreshing departure from the typical burger vans found at English football grounds.

After arriving in Milan on Thursday afternoon, we kicked off our visit with a leisurely stroll through Parco Sempione and admired masterpieces by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci at the Castello Sforzesco (or as one of my friends jokingly put it, ’50 per cent of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’) on Friday.

Later, we ventured into the city center for a late lunch before heading to the football match. Despite the game itself being lackluster, the overall experience was unforgettable.

The unexpected rescheduling of the match turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as it freed up our Saturday. We seized the opportunity and hopped on a train for just over an hour to Turin, where we secured tickets for the Torino vs Roma match that afternoon. This spontaneous decision allowed us a brief exploration of the Piedmont capital, marveling at the grandeur of Milano Centrale Station along the way.

From there, we caught a bus to the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, a historic venue renovated for the 2006 Winter Olympics and now home to Torino Football Club. Despite not being nestled in the Alps, the views were still breathtaking on that sunny afternoon.

Back in Milan, we revived our postponed Friday night plans by exploring the lively bars in Navigli.

Waking up on Sunday, we were briefly startled to find the street below transformed into a bustling market. Passing by the fish stalls didn’t do much to ease the aftermath of Saturday night.

Undeterred, we powered through and visited some of Milan’s iconic landmarks. We strolled through the famous Galleria shopping gallery, admired the historic La Scala opera house, and marveled at the magnificent Duomo di Milan.

This version highlights the main attractions in Milan while maintaining a focus on travel and cultural experiences.

We paused for a delightful lunch featuring Risotto alla Milanese before immersing ourselves in the interactive exhibits at the Leonardo3 museum. To cap off the day, we enjoyed a refreshing Aperol spritz by the canal, a perfect remedy for any lingering effects from the night before.

My only regret was missing out on viewing Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’ due to our late ticket booking. Tickets for this masterpiece are in high demand, sold in three-month intervals that get snapped up quickly.

Despite that, our four-night stay was a perfect blend of culture, superb cuisine, and vibrant nightlife, punctuated by plenty of laughter—even if we witnessed just one goal across two matches.

This version maintains a focus on cultural activities, culinary experiences, and the overall enjoyment of the trip, while incorporating the keywords relevant to your content.